Classification of renal cysts
If a kidney cyst occurs individually, it is usually harmless, causes no discomfort to the affected person and therefore does not need to be treated. One divides kidney cysts into different types according to Bosniak, on the basis of which the indication for a treatment can be placed. In the case of simple cysts (type 1 and 2), which are almost always only random findings, there is not even a reason to monitor the progress of the disease.
These cysts are in any case benign and have no thickened walls or calcifications. In very few people, such cysts can cause problems because they become very large. In such a case the cyst can be punctured. This means that the fluid can be sucked out of the cyst with a needle, which practically makes it collapse.
Wall thickening and calcification
With type 2F, a follow-up is recommended, since here slight wall thickening or calcification can be detected in ultrasound and further growth or changes in the properties of the cyst can be ruled out. Type 3 is characterized by the fact that the walls of the cyst are clearly thickened and/or irregular, calcifications can be detected and, under certain circumstances, a contrast medium image may also be obtained in computer tomography. Such a finding may be an infected or hemorrhaged cyst, but also a malignant process, which is why surgical intervention is recommended here. The material obtained from the puncture can be used to check for infections and suspicious cells. The following topic might also be helpful for you: Calcified kidney – causes, diagnosis & therapy
Nutrition for kidney cysts
In the presence of kidney cysts, a change in diet is usually not necessary. The development of the cysts or their growth is only slightly influenced by the diet. In general, however, a healthy, not too salty and balanced diet is recommended for most diseases.
Surgery for renal cysts
Renal cysts must be operated on if they cause discomfort or if it cannot be safely ruled out that they are parts of a malignant tumor. It is rather rare that a single renal cyst causes symptoms. However, if it increases in size it can displace the surrounding kidney tissue.
This can lead to pain. If there are many cysts, this can lead to a restriction of the kidney function. An operation is only possible for single cysts.
A distinction must be made between kidney cysts and cyst kidneys. Renal cysts are single cysts that grow in the kidney tissue, cystic kidneys are kidneys that are interspersed with numerous cysts. Surgical removal of cysts is only considered for a small number of cases.
Surgical removal of cysts from cystic kidneys is therefore out of the question. However, before the cyst is operated, it is possible to puncture the cyst in order to drain a large part of the contents and thus relieve the symptoms. Often the cyst fills up with fluid in the course of the operation.
In this case, surgery is usually the best option. This is a minimally invasive procedure, i.e. it uses the keyhole principle. If such an operation is out of the question, a so-called sclerotherapy can be performed.
In this procedure, the cyst is punctured through the skin and the contents are aspirated. Afterwards, an agent is injected into the cyst to ensure that it sticks together so that the cyst cannot fill with fluid again. The recurrence rate (rate of cyst recurrence) is relatively high with this type of procedure, so that surgical removal is preferred if symptoms occur.
